IOC's sledge hammer on RussiaDecember 5 2017 By Abiodun Giwa

The International Olympic Committe has banned anything Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, except athletes free from doping and who want participation without the use of Russia's name and colors. First of its type ban on any country not to fly its flag or particpate in any of the competitions, is sequel to the outcome of investigations into the widespread use of systematic doping by the country's athletes. This means that Russia's flag will be absent in the Olympics, just as any Russian athlete who wishes to participate will have to do so as an independent athlete and will not be allowed to wear the country's colors or do so in the country's name. News reports show that about 25 Russians have been barred from Olympics for life. The New York Times reports says that it is a punishment so severe without precedent in Olympics history. The BBC said in its report that the games in South Korea, which starts on 9 February, will now be without one of the powerhouses of Olympic sport.